TEMPE, Ariz., April 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- "Arkansas has passed
legislation creating an Alzheimer's Advisory Council, and
Arizona and Nebraska are following close behind," said
RALNA President Brian Pinkowski.
"However, there is no one at the table representing the residential
assisted living community."
"With as many as 70% of the residents in smaller assisted living
homes diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, those
homes are on the front lines of dementia care and should have a
seat at the table."
In Arizona, for example,
Senators Lela Alston, Sean Bowie, Sally Ann
Gonzales, and Lisa Otando have sponsored a bill that
establishes a council to examine the needs of people with dementia
and the services available in the state. But there is only one
representative from the assisted living industry and no
representative from the hundreds of smaller care homes in the
state. The proposal is important and needs to engage members from
the local residential assisted living community. In Arizona, that starts with the Arizona Assisted
Living Homes Association (AALHA).
Similarly, in Nebraska, Senator
Wendy DeBoer proposed a bill to
establish a council that examines the trends in Alzheimer's disease
and related dementia and the resources available to handle those
citizens. But there is only one seat on the assisted living
industry council and no representation for the smaller care homes
on the front lines of dementia care.
Arkansas enacted its
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Advisory Council on March 17, 2021. Although the Council includes one
caregiver and one home healthcare provider, the remaining 18
members of the Council are government and university appointees,
leaving no room for people in the business of providing care for
affected residents."
The Residential Assisted Living National Association is the
voice for 40,000 small care homes and is working hard to secure a
seat at the table for smaller assisted living providers.
Media Contact
Molly Tennant, Residential
Assisted Living National Association, 725-210-0755,
Molly@ralna.org
SOURCE Residential Assisted Living National Association